Moving Toward Healing: Physical Activities for Trauma Recovery

Going through a traumatic experience can wreak havoc on your mental health. Trauma can cause years of issues, from vivid flashbacks that lead to anxiety to feelings of guilt and shame that can contribute to depression. 

So, it makes sense that many of the treatment solutions for trauma focus on improving mental well-being, either by changing your perspective of the event or helping you feel more empowered. 

While working through the mental health aspects of trauma is essential, getting physical can also make a difference. 

The mind-body connection is stronger than you might think, and physical activities are a great way to boost trauma recovery while improving your overall well-being. 

Opening the Lines of Communication

Physical activity can help to improve the mind-body connection, making you more aware of how the two work together. The body can “store” trauma in ways you might not expect. Being able to understand how it’s often stored might motivate you to be more physically active. 

Trapped trauma can lead to everything from aches and pains to nausea and difficulty sleeping due to discomfort. Exercise can help you to release that stored trauma while providing greater mental clarity and happiness. It opens the lines of communication between your mind and body so you can feel more in control. 

How Exercise Helps

Regular exercise can actually change the way your brain works. For example, physical activity stimulates the growth of blood vessels in the brain. That helps to improve cognitive processes, and make the healing process faster. Exercise also boosts your neuroplasticity. It can help your brain recover after a traumatic experience while building new networks and neuropathways to create healthy thoughts and memories. 

Even if you’re not a fitness enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of a “runner’s high” before. It’s not something you have to run a marathon to experience. Rather, it’s a term used to describe the boost of endorphins that comes naturally after exercising. 

These endorphins can help to combat depression and negative memories while giving you a boost of energy. Plus, you’ll feel that boost for several hours after you exercise. Consistency in your workouts will help to keep those endorphins flowing. 

A Healthy Distraction

Finally, exercise can be a great way to distract yourself from the negative thoughts associated with trauma. Whether you’re struggling with flashbacks or you’re feeling the effects of guilt, shame, or fear, exercising is a healthy and positive way to push those thoughts to the side. 

The next time those negative thoughts try to creep in, consider listening to some music and going for a walk, taking a swim, or simply dancing around your living room. Even a few minutes of physical activity can help to remove those thoughts from your mind, building resilience and strength. 

Start Small

Again, you don’t have to run a marathon to enjoy the benefits of exercise as it relates to trauma recovery. Find something that genuinely interests you, and you’re more likely to stick with it. Try taking a dance class, mountain biking, or walking around your neighborhood with your family each night. 

You also don’t have to start out exercising every day. Try some light physical activity 2–3 days a week, and consider opening yourself up to things that can improve your strength and stamina. Lifting light weights is a wonderful way to feel empowered while experiencing all of the benefits exercise has to offer.

Physical activities are a great way to manage the symptoms of trauma and to help you heal and move forward. But, you should also consider working with a therapist who can help you process your feelings and emotions along the way. Feel free to reach out about trauma therapy so we can further discuss the positive effects of physical activity and how they can promote healing on your journey.